DIY Bokashi mix

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by Peter Clements, Oct 7, 2005.

  1. Peter Clements

    Peter Clements Junior Member

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    This is my first post, so I'd like to say hello to all posters, especially Geoff and Nadia Lawton, who just presented the inspirational PDC at Melbourne Uni with Bill Mollison.

    My question is, how could you create your own bokashi mix for a bokashi bucket digester. The mix is quite expensive to buy, and appears to be just some kind of fermented grain mixed perhaps with some molasses. Any ideas on how to replicate it?

    Regards
    Peter Clements
    Architect and permie :) :D
     
  2. Franceyne

    Franceyne Junior Member

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  3. sascha

    sascha New Member

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    EM Bokashi Powder Recipe

    To make your own EM Bokashi is a bit of work.

    15 litres sawdust
    10 litres bran
    200 ml EM
    200 ml molasses
    4 litres water

    mix all ingreds together, ferment in airtight barrels for 2 weeks min.
    sould smell fermented when you lift the lid
    dry quickly on tables or tarps/(fully dry)
    keep dried material in airtight containers.
    you can get the EM1 from [email protected] $27.50 per litre

    Pod chef has a go on a small scale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96fSXccQx9Q

    https://www.emshop.com.au
    https://www.bokashi.biz
     
  4. LCC76

    LCC76 New Member

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    Source for Cheap Bokashi buckets?

    Hi, this is my first post as well, I was so inspired by what I read in this forum, so thanks everyone.

    Does anyone have any ideas about alternatives to the $90 'official' bokashi bucket? It's only a fancy plastic bucket with a tap, I can't help thinking that there must be a $5 alternative out there?

    Any ideas would be welcome.

    Also, has anyone actually made their own bokashi successfully? I would prefer to make it instead of having to mail order it by the kilo. (It would be a great ebay business for someone to make cheap bulk bokashi)

    Cheers,
    LCC76
     
  5. PDB

    PDB Junior Member

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    Hi LCC76
    Yes it is great in here, I love it. You can pick up small drums like that from produce stores or hardware stores. You can also get small plastic taps with a nut on the back and put it in what ever you can find.
    Paul
     
  6. Fern O.

    Fern O. Junior Member

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    The most effective way to make "Bokashi" (fermented organic matter) I've found is the same as making sauerkraut. No need for purchasing the bokashi prep or the EM's, as they're in the air anyway!

    Just finely shred and compact your food scraps, squashing them down in a container, making sure they're no air bubbles. Put a lid on top with a weight, so no air gets in.

    Voila! in a week you'll find it nicely pickled! :D
     
  7. Tas'

    Tas' Junior Member

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    Re: EM Bokashi Powder Recipe

    And it works out much cheaper if you extend or activate the initial bottle of EM:

    https://tinyurl.com/2cogxv
     
  8. Bokashiman

    Bokashiman New Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    Hi there,

    Here's a link to the the most popular post on my blog:

    how to make your own bokashi

    https://tinyurl.com/2futho

    The second most popular post is how to make your own EM

    https://tinyurl.com/yw7c55

    Enjoy!

    Al
     
  9. rhancock

    rhancock Junior Member

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    Re: Source for Cheap Bokashi buckets?

    Like this: https://www.malcolmpaulsales.com.au/prodview.php?id=04

    I bought a 30 l for my chook feeder: https://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewto ... 0&start=30
     
  10. shireen

    shireen Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    hi. this may be a dumb question. (i am new here and to permaculture). but can i use the bokashi compost bin without using the bokashi starter? why do we really need the starter? is there a substitute without going through all that pain of making the stuff or expense of buying it?

    thanks.
    shireen
     
  11. Michaelangelica

    Michaelangelica Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    As I understand it you can use ALL kitchen scraps including meat and bones in this system.
    Am I wrong?
    Is this the reason the activator is needed?

    I have always been intrigued by the concept but put off by the "Imported from Japan" price- so thanks for starting this thread! :finga: :idea: :flower:
     
  12. sascha

    sascha New Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    Hi Shireen,

    The Bokashi Bucket will not work without the EM Bokashi Powder. The Bokashi Bucket acts as a sort of airtight fermenter starter, and the Bokashi Powder ferments or pickles the waste and stops it from decomposing or rotting, therefore preserving the nutrients and goodness, from the day you collect the food waste.

    You can compost food scraps directly into some traditional compost systems or a worm farm, but the former will attract rodents, and lose goodness through drying, rotting, decomposition and bad smells. The Bokashi System adds more benefits back into your soil, incl the Effective Microbes (living Micro-organisims) and the bucket provides liquid fertiliser for watering your plants.

    This system was invented by a Japanese Professor years ago (Dr Higa). Please PM me direct for more information.
     
  13. dymonite

    dymonite Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    I am going to try a little experiment this summer and extend my own Bokashi mix.

    I bought 25kg of bran and a couple litres of molasses for less than $25 from a feed store.

    I intend to use some commercial Bokashi mix and mix that with the uncultured bran. I will add molasses and water to start the mixture and seal it in a bucket for a couple weeks. I will either use the damp mixture or dry it out so it keeps longer. It may be possible to multiply the original mix several fold.
     
  14. pmorrison2588

    pmorrison2588 Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    You will need some molasses, rice bran or wheat bran. And some helpful bacteria. Now we can arrange for all other things, but where to collect the bacteria from. that is the reason, you need a good quality ready made Bokashi mix. It should be mixed with right proportions, so that it becomes correctly effective.
     
  15. toolworx

    toolworx Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    Is there a seller on here for this system?
    How much for a starter kit? Can I make the EM?
    Thanks.
     
  16. lyrebirdcreate

    lyrebirdcreate Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    I posted two detailed reports on making a bokashi bin and the starter on my blog:
    https://lyrebirdcreate.blogspot.com/2009/08/bokashi-composting.html
    https://lyrebirdcreate.blogspot.com/2009/09/bokashi-update.html

    the EM is essential for the process otherwise you will end up with slime!

    i made some EM by experimenting with fermentation in my kitchen. it seems to work although i did buy some EM as well. The stuff I made actually grew a kombucha scoby (mushroom) which is a pretty robust and healthy one.

    bokashi is great. there is loads of information on the internet.

    happy fermenting.
     
  17. toolworx

    toolworx Junior Member

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    Re: DIY Bokashi mix

    Thanks lyrebirdcreate I will get some buckets tomorrow and give it a go.
    Can the contents be put into the compost heap? will it help it compost faster? i have about a 1 cubic meter of wood chip in my compost heat atm.
     

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